Headteacher's Newsletter - Monday 9th October 2023

Memorial

David Nield, Director of Music and Tiffin teacher from 1965-2002, sadly passed away in July. He had such a huge influence over so many Tiffin students’ lives, that he will always be fondly remembered by the Tiffin community. His life and reach extended far beyond Tiffin though: he was also Organist and Director of Music at Kingston Parish Church from 1967-1994, and was one of the founders of the National Youth Music Theatre, responsible for so many of today’s talented crop of actors and performers. As a composer, his works were performed worldwide (including at Sadler’s Wells Theatre) and broadcast on BBC1, BBC2, Radio 3 and ITV. In commemoration of his extraordinary life, a special Memorial Day is being held in Kingston on Sunday 15th October, to which all members of the Tiffin community are invited. It would be great if as many as possible from the Tiffin community could come together to celebrate the life of a remarkable man. There will be 2 events, and you are very welcome to come to one or both, but please book the tickets, which are free, in advance so we are aware of numbers. The first event is a memorial service in Kingston Parish Church at 2.30pm. Led by Revd Joe Moffatt, Rector of Kingston, and with the address given by the Very Revd Dominic Barrington, Dean of York, the service will include a number of David’s pieces performed by the choirs of Kingston Parish Church and Tiffin School. The service will begin with ‘Light’, an introit that David composed for his final Founders’ Day service in 2022 - all of David’s Directors of Choral Music will be involved (including Roderick Williams as baritone soloist) in this remarkable piece. International organist Christopher Herrick will play Bach before the service; David’s old organ pupil Richard Pearce (the organist at Last Night of the Proms) will play Messiaen at the end. A reception at the Rose Theatre will follow the service. This will be followed by an hour-long concert at 5pm in the Rose, devised by Jeremy James Taylor, presented by Roddy Williams, involving the Tiffin Boys’ Choir and special guests, and featuring performances from some of David’s extraordinary “junior jazzes” and musicals - including Up the Odyssey, The Ragged Child, Tin Pan Ali, Drake, and The Roman Invasion of Ramsbottom.

Tickets are still available for ‘katzenmusik: a play told backwards’ – this year’s Sixth Form Production.

A darkly comic story about social inequality and upheaval, told in reverse. A viral video, a company capitalising on fear, prank calls, class divide and a cat memorial. The increasing income gap between rich and poor has pushed the residents of Burnside Town to breaking point. ‘katzenmusik’ is a play told ‘backwards’ (as the scenes continue, it goes further and further backwards in time). It’s all about ‘cause and effect’, and as the story is told in reverse, we see the consequences before the cause. It is a contemporary, genuinely original play that pushes our incredibly talented Sixth Form, in the balance it finds between dark comedy and earnest drama. ‘katzenmusik’ offers the chance to see the exceptional dramatic talent of the Sixth Form. The cast and production team are made up entirely of Year 12 and 13, who have worked so hard to put this production together in just four weeks. The play is challenging, both in style and subject matter, and as such there is an age guidance (though not a restriction) of 15+, given some of the content (more information can be found on the ticket page, and this is left to parental discretion).

Because we’re anticipating considerable interest, both the service and concert are ticketed (free). The links are

Church Memorial Service

Rose Theatre Concert

Please do come along and celebrate David’s life, but please book tickets so we are aware of numbers.

Tiffin Rugby Comedy Evening We are delighted to be hosting the 2023 comedy event of the year at school on Friday 13th October, starting at 7pm (what could go wrong?). Come and join us for an evening of fun and laughter with four cutting edge comedians. Tickets are just £15 per person and can be bought here. There will be a bar with soft and alcoholic beverages along with a wide selection of snacks and savoury bites.

There will be four performances, on October 10th-13th, starting at 7pm in the Drama Studio, and the show runs at 90minutes.

Buy Tickets Here

All profits from this event will benefit every rugby player at Tiffin in the form of tour bursaries, merchandise, wellbeing and training equipment. Please join us if you do not already have plans!

Engage · Aspire · Excel

Engage · Aspire · Excel

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